Head to head
Ricketts Glen vs Hocking Hills: How to Choose
The short answer
Pick Ricketts Glen if waterfalls are the whole point. Pennsylvania's Falls Trail strings 21 named falls, including the 94-foot Ganoga Falls, onto a single demanding loop with no equal in the region for sheer waterfall density. The exception is the traveler who wants iconic rock formations, caves, and easier walking the family can share: that person should choose Hocking Hills, Ohio's most popular park, where Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, and the recess caves headline shorter, gentler trails.
Pick Ricketts Glen State Park if
- Stacking 21 waterfalls onto one loop is the goal
- You want a demanding, full-day hike with serious payoff
- Tall, dramatic falls like Ganoga are what you came to see
Pick Hocking Hills State Park if
- Famous caves and rock formations like Old Man's Cave are the draw
- You want easier, family-friendly trails over a strenuous loop
- You prefer a park with strong lodging and a busier visitor scene
Side by side
| Ricketts Glen State Park | Hocking Hills State Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Best time | Late April to October for the open Falls Trail, with fall color as the standout | April to October, with fall color and summer weekends as the busiest windows |
| Entrance fee | No entrance fee; camping and cabins are paid | Ohio state parks have no general day-use entrance fee, but camping and lodging fees apply |
| Size | Not reported | Not reported |
| Visitors | Not reported | Not reported |
| Nearest airport | See park page | See park page |
Who wins on what
| Decision | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most waterfalls | Ricketts Glen State Park | The Falls Trail links 21 named falls in one loop, unmatched for density. |
| Most iconic rock features | Hocking Hills State Park | Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, and the recess caves are the headline sights. |
| Best for families | Hocking Hills State Park | Shorter, gentler trails make it easier for mixed-ability groups. |
| Toughest hike | Ricketts Glen State Park | The full Falls Trail loop is long, steep, and slick near the water. |
| Best lodging and amenities | Hocking Hills State Park | A lodge, cabins, and a developed visitor scene support easy overnights. |
| Fewer crowds | Ricketts Glen State Park | It draws fewer visitors than Ohio's most popular state park. |
| Best fall color | Either | Both peak in October, when the gorges and falls frame the foliage. |
Can you do both?
These parks are in different states, with Ricketts Glen in Pennsylvania and Hocking Hills in Ohio, roughly five hours apart, so most people pick one rather than combining them. Both shine in October for fall color. Ricketts Glen's Falls Trail gets dangerously icy in winter and may require traction or close, so check conditions.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Ricketts Glen or Hocking Hills better?
- Ricketts Glen wins for waterfalls, with 21 falls on one demanding loop. Hocking Hills wins for iconic caves and rock formations on easier, family-friendly trails.
- Which park is better for families?
- Hocking Hills is the more family-friendly choice, with shorter trails and famous, accessible features like Old Man's Cave. Ricketts Glen's full Falls Trail is long and strenuous.
- When is the best time to visit?
- Both are spectacular in October for fall color. Avoid Ricketts Glen's Falls Trail in icy winter conditions unless you carry traction devices and check current trail status.
- How many waterfalls does Ricketts Glen have?
- Ricketts Glen's Falls Trail features 21 named waterfalls on one loop, including the 94-foot Ganoga Falls, making it one of the densest waterfall hikes in the eastern US.
Plan your visit
Whichever park wins for you, here is the gear keyed to these conditions, the tools to size your trip, and related guides.
What to pack
Plan with our tools
Planning either trip? Each park guide has when-to-go, what-to-pack, and camping reservation details. Browse the full national parks index.